The National Center Mourns the Passing of Longtime Board Member Larry G. Kinley

MESA, AZ – The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (The National Center) sends its deepest condolences to Lummi Nation and the entire Kinley family after the death of long-serving National Center Board Member Larry G. Kinley. Kinley lost his battle with lung cancer on February 13th. A member of the Board since 1988, Kinley worked tirelessly to promote the values and goals of The National Center, the Lummi Nation, and all of Indian Country.

“In his 30-year tenure with The National Center, Larry brought wisdom and vision to our Board of Directors, and helped bring our organization into the 21st Century,” National Center Board Chairman Derrick Watchman said. “He was a leader not only through his work at the National Center but also with the Lummi people and throughout Washington state. He will be missed by all who worked with him and had the honor of knowing him.”

Larry began his life of service in the United States Army. After his service, he joined the Lummi Indian Business Council, where he served as Chairman from 1974-1975 and 1981-1989. He was instrumental in not only advancing the largest tribal fishing fleet, but also in expanding the Northwest Indian College (NWIC), the Lummi School District, Fisherman’s Cove, the Silver Reef Hotel Casino & Spa, the new Tribal Government administration building, several mini-marts, and a processing plant. Larry was instrumental in developing the Centennial Accord, which provided a bridge between the tribes and brought Tribal Leaders to the table with the Governor of Washington State and their agencies.

“Larry’s dedication to bringing economic opportunity to the Lummi Nation was unsurpassed,” National Center President and CEO Chris James said. “He brought that same passion to his work at the National Center, and many tribes and Native entrepreneurs benefited from his expertise. Although he may be gone now, I know the National Center will carry Larry’s legacy through our mission of providing economic opportunity to Indian Country.”About The National Center: The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 40 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development – we have evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation. Our motto is: “We Mean Business For Indian Country” as we are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people- both now… and for generations to come.